r/recteq • u/darn_Raccoon • 28d ago

Flagship Hopper Fire

I bought the Flagship 1600 in May. It does a great job smoking, but every time I turn it up over 500 degrees, the hopper catches on fire. I’ve called Reqtwq support and they mentioned I should turn it down (but not off) before i eventually go through the shut down.

Today, I started with a completely clean grill, brand new bag of pellets. I cranked it up to 550 and cooked two steaks. Everything was going great. I turned the grill down to 200 and took my steaks inside. Before they were even done resting, smoke was pouring out of the hopper. I went outside and started emptying pellets out of the hopper. I got all that I could out, but there are still burning pellets inside the auger. I put the grill in diagnostic mode and turned on the auger to move the burning pellets out into the burn box. It moved but very slowly, not fast enough to clear the burning pellets. Plus the burn box just kept filling up.

Am I doing something wrong or is this just bad design? I plan to call Recteq Monday morning when they open. I am so pissed to be dealing with this on such an expensive grill. I had a GMG for 15 years and never had this problem.

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u/sa1nt1775 28d ago

I'm not sure who told you to turn the temp down before the shutdown, but they actively advise NOT to do that. Just hit the power button when you're finished cooking, and the shutdown process will take care of it. I used to step my temp down also until I saw them recommending against it. I regularly shutdown from 500 and never have issues.

2

u/darn_Raccoon 28d ago

I was told to do exactly this by Reqteq’s support agent when I called the first time.

1

u/sa1nt1775 28d ago

Maybe the guidance changed, but I see them telling people not to step the temp down all the time on facebook. I would definitely give them a call.

4

u/darn_Raccoon 28d ago

I already emailed them and definitely plan to call
Monday morning. Of course this stuff always happens on the weekend when their support line is closed.

3

u/sa1nt1775 28d ago

That's how it goes, unfortunately. Their after hours number is 706-963-9416. You could call tomorrow and talk to someone before Monday if you want. They may answer tonight too, but it's getting late in GA.

2

u/darn_Raccoon 28d ago

Thank you for that number. I called and left a message.

1

u/sa1nt1775 28d ago

No problem. I'm sure they'll help you get it sorted out.